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Miracles don’t always come easy. Sometimes it takes a secret wish to light an angel’s way.

When Holly steps into a homeless shelter looking for an MIA piano student, notices a distinct lack of Christmas cheer—because a handsome building inspector is forcing the shelter to temporarily close down.

Holly knows bad guys—she was married to one. Yet when the man asks her out, she finds absolutely not warring with absolutely yes.

Tim Stewart doesn’t hold his breath waiting for God to answer prayers. He went from homeless desperation to television stardom to relative obscurity while God stayed silent. But when Holly barrels into his life, her steady faith sparks hope for a dream of his own. Even if it means praying for a Christmas miracle—one last time.


Remembered sadness is the stepping stone to tomorrow’s joy.

120 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2019

61 people are currently reading
58 people want to read

About the author

Josie Riviera

142 books468 followers
USA TODAY bestselling author Josie Riviera writes contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable shih tzu, who constantly needs grooming, and live in an old house forever needing renovations.

Send her an email at: josieriviera@aol.com


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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
Profile Image for CATHERINE  BURHANS .
827 reviews8 followers
January 22, 2024
This delightful Christmas story features Holly, a lonely Piano teacher who takes a great interest in one of her young students that doesn’t show up for lessons, and finds her at a homeless shelter. There she has a chance meeting with Tim, who is the very unpopular bldg inspector who is there to close the center down. As the two work together to save the center, they come to care deeply for one another as well. Both have suffered deep loss and hurt in their lives, and it is apparent they have trust issues as well. It was heartwarming to see Tim soften in not having any desire to go to a church to then begin opening his heart as he witnesses Holly’s faith.
2,451 reviews15 followers
November 13, 2021
Josie Riviera joins 5 other authors in the fabulous Small-Town Christmas Wishes series of sweet inspirational romances with Holly's Gift. When her friend Charity leaves her (and 5 other friends) $1,500 to put towards some charitable cause after her passing, Holly is unsure how to use it until one of her piano students ends up in a homeless shelter that is being closed. At the shelter, she meets Tim, the building inspector man own past experiences with homelessness and abandonment have left him cynical. Holly's own past hurts from a bad marriage have left her feeling destined to be alone, but there is an unexpected pull that keeps drawing Tim and Holly together. As they find themselves working together to help the shelter, they find themselves opening themselves up to each other in ways they haven't been able to with anyone else - while also being scared to trust. Can the miracle of Christmas bring them together? Holly's Gift is a beautifully-written, sweet, small-town Christmas romance, a wonderfully inspirational holiday read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3,559 reviews40 followers
October 14, 2021
This audiobook is a touching clean , Christian romance. It’s also the fifth story of the series about six friends who each were gifted $1500 by a deceased friend. Each is asked to use the money to grant a secret wish.
This story belongs to Holly Kim, the piano teacher. When she seeks out a student that didn’t show to her lesson, Holly realizes the girl lives in a homeless shelter. A shelter that will be closing due to problems with the electricity.
Tim Stewart is the inspector who proclaims the need to close the center.
Can these two find that working together will not only bring a happy resolution to the center but also to their relationship?
I was gifted a copy of the audiobook. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Profile Image for D..
1,802 reviews
November 14, 2021
This is a nice quick story about Holly and Tim. It is very interesting how their lives intersect and the commonalities between them. It is very interesting how quickly they jump to conclusions about each other which is very much like real life. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story to bring you into the spirit of Christmas.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for MaryEllen.
2,913 reviews29 followers
November 4, 2021
This is an overtly Christian story. There's not preaching but a lot of Bible quoting—fitting in to the story and with the characters that do the quoting.

The story is very sweet and the romance develops naturally. There are issues that create speed bumps for them, but, of course, we leave the couple on their way to a HEA.
Profile Image for Barbara.
19.2k reviews8 followers
November 13, 2021
The fifth book in the Small-Town Christmas Wishes Series a well written story with a very good storyline the story flowed smoothly across the pages. Holly and Tim's story held my interest until the end. A man that has been hurt in the past is given a chance at love and getting a connection with God that he has missed. The story was well worth reading. I would recommend.
Profile Image for Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon).
16.4k reviews217 followers
November 20, 2021
This was a great book to curl up with, Captivated my attention instantly, leaving me no other choice but to devour in one sitting... I simply loved this story and can't wait to see what comes next in this series... I would definitely recommend this series as I have not wanted to stop reading each book!!
1,599 reviews19 followers
December 29, 2021
"Holly's Gift" by Josie Riviera narrated by: Allyson Voller
Sweet Christian romance
Yes, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Holly & Tim as their worlds intersected and new challenges appear and are resolved. It is a light, easy listening story. Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: I received a free download audiocode from the author.
This review expresses my honest opinion.
4,012 reviews35 followers
November 12, 2021
The book is a good, and enjoyable sweet inspirational small town romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
7,766 reviews50 followers
December 28, 2021
Delightful story and good narration, once again in this good series
Miracles, dreams and helping others come in this story of Holly’s
A gift, a child who needs a home, a miracle of how it came about.
Enjoyed well done, and heartwarming
Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
Profile Image for lisa jung.
5,460 reviews44 followers
December 6, 2019
Shining Star

Holly gift from a friend will be the seed money for a needed project at the local shelter this holiday. . But she will need help to complete her project in Tim the local inspector. In this feel good Christmas romance between a great couple.
Profile Image for Julie Barrett.
9,216 reviews206 followers
September 30, 2019
Holly's Gift by Josie Riviera
This book starts out with a dedication and about the series.
Holly is a Korean born woman who tries to not only fix things but help others.
Holly Kim teaches piano and realizes there's something wrong with one of the students as she's late and has other excuses but she is able to track her down,at a homeless shelter.
She was there to find them, on a hunch, but runs into obstacles as the center is closing due to a deterioration that the electric is not up to code...
They must evacuate everyone. Story at this point follows the decision he has made as he tries to come to grips with it and the beautiful woman that's wandered into his life.
Never read a book where female is from Korea and I like how determined she is, strong and brave all in one as she goes after what she knows needs to happen.
He invites her to the ice rink and would even hold her up and she learns many things about him. Love what the charm bracelet means to her and why.
Love hearing about all the outside winter activities. Like the passages were the Bible is mentioned and quoted and how it fits in with the story.
Love that her friend has left her money for charity, now she has a reason to use it.
Love hearing from both sides as you get the full picture.
Love how she teaches him about herself and love of God. She understands his position but know she will stick true to her faith and maybe he will slide on her side.
Bonus of a Christmas cookie recipe is included, OH YUM! Dedication and acknowledgments and about the author are also included with nightlights of her other works.
Excerpt is also included of another holiday book. Knowing some things about the author I love how they are brought out in this book.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
2,677 reviews12 followers
October 2, 2019
An inspiring holiday story of love and faith!

It’s almost Christmas and Holly is still grieving the death of her best friend, Charity. Her divorce has left her determined to avoid relationships, at least for now, and she has thrown herself into her work as a piano teacher. Her most promising student, Jasmine, is from a poor single-parent family. When Jasmine misses several lessons in a row, Holly decides to visit the family to make sure they are all right and discovers that they are living in a homeless shelter. The shelter is being forced to close because of city code violations found by the city inspector, Timothy Stewart.

Although Holly is a Christian, her friend Charity was always her example of faith, even in death. Charity left each of her friends a check for $1500 to give someone a special Christmas like the ones they shared in their youth. Holly decides to enlist Tim Stewart's help to try to save the shelter and find ways to raise the needed funds. Tim does not believe in God but he reluctantly admires Holly’s faith and definitely would like to get to know her better even though his better judgment tells him to avoid relationships.

This is a clean Christmas romance with a message of faith and hope. It is a feel-good story with a happy ending.
701 reviews8 followers
September 23, 2019
This Christmas story has such a heartwarming storyline. The characters meet when Holly comes to locate her piano student who hasn't been showing up and encounters Tim, the local building inspector, as he is closing down the homeless shelter because the building is not up to code. Needless to say, their first meeting is less than ideal. Little does Holly know that the handsome Tim grew up as the son of an addict and has lived in his share of homeless shelters--and Tim would never have guessed that the gorgeous and kind woman that he admires is nursing a broken heart when her ex-husband cruelly rejected her. There are lots of twists and turns before healing and love can happen--it's a really good story!
Profile Image for Tiffany.
125 reviews9 followers
October 18, 2019
(I have received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and have reviewed this with my own opinion!)

Holly’s Gift by Josie Rivera
I thought this was a beautiful story full of hope and redemption! It’s the Christmas season- which brings about an unexpected love match, past hurts, a gift from a friend, and a cause dear to their heart truly shows that anything can happen. A sweet and short story. But perfectly written to the point! I loved this!
Profile Image for Ann.
2,648 reviews3 followers
September 18, 2019
This is a wonderful inspirational Christmas story. This story will warm your heart, bring tears to your eyes and make you cheer. This book was a joy to read and it has two great sounding recipes at the end.
Profile Image for Linda Lavoie.
1,189 reviews11 followers
April 4, 2020
I really enjoy this complicated love story filled with twists and turns that makes you want to smile or cry depending on the moments. Christmas is the perfect time of the year to bring people together.
Profile Image for Josie Riviera.
Author 142 books468 followers
Read
January 5, 2023
I am thrilled to share this wonderful review for Holly's Gift from InD'Tale magazine:
Review from InD'Tale Magazine:

Holly's Gift

"Holly Kim is a piano teacher who is missing a student. She enters a homeless shelter searching for the student. She finds the building inspector, Tim Stewart, closing the place down due to unsafe wiring—just in time for Christmas. He swears he's just doing his job, but Holly is convinced he is simply a bad man. Tim has known bad people, bad times, and homelessness in his life. And he knows God pretty much stays away from all that. Until he runs into Holly's steady faith, and as it slowly erodes his tough outer shell, he might catch himself praying for a Christmas miracle too...and Holly's gift.
This is a standalone novella, fifth in a series. It's a clean, sweet Christmas romance. This is a story that has such strong bones! Readers seeking a wholesome Christmas romance to enjoy any time of the year will be satisfied with a visit to Snowflake Colorado and Holly's Gift."

I love music, (just like the heroine, Holly,) and could really relate to her character.
I hope you love my inspirational sweet romance.

You can find Holly's Gift here:
mybook.to/HollysGift

This book is also featured in the boxed set, A Very Christmas Christmas:
https://mybook.to/ChristianChristmas

Also in the Christmas boxed set, Holiday Hearts Volume Three:
mybook.to/HolidayHeartsVolume3

All books are FREE on Kindle Unlimited.
132 reviews
December 25, 2022
Holly’s Gift
By Josie Riviera

Josie presents us with a warm and wonderful story that has all the things we hold dear about Christmas in it.
The main characters are both people who are hurting and afraid to open their hearts to others. Even so, they care about the sad situations of those around them who are less fortunate.
We see Holly introduce Tim to the joys of Christmas he has never experienced. He shows how the dark things someone’s past can shape their present and their future.
As they work to help the local homeless shelter, they both grow and find a love neither of them was looking for.
For those of us blessed with a history of happy Christmas memories, this shows us how blessed we are. For those who don’t have that history, it shows that there is always hope.
I highly recommend this book for anyone in search of a story to warm the heart and welcome the Christmas season.
Well done, Josie.
Profile Image for Jennifer Soppe.
2,251 reviews13 followers
February 12, 2020
A sweet Christian romance read

Holly, a piano teacher, meets Tim, a city building inspector, at a homeless shelter where one of her students lives. As the story progresses seemingly unsolvable situations occur, not all solutions offered are readily accepted, and finding a way to the truth will allow them to proceed. Josie Riviera’s Holly’s gift is a sweet Christian romance read full of trials and solutions.

Audio content review:

Overall I really liked this book, the audio performance was enjoyable to listen to and kept me engaged the entire time. I did not have a print or eBook copy to compare the performance to, so am unable to comment on any deviations that there may or may not be.

I received a free audio copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,610 reviews22 followers
July 17, 2025
Holly is a piano teacher searching for a star piano student who suddenly stopped coming for her lessons. Her search leads her to a homeless shelter where she finds the student and her mother, and meets Tim Stewart, a building inspector ready to shut down the homeless shelter due to health code violations. Holly vows to due whatever she can to help the shelter and the individuals being displaced.

Tim is just trying to do his job. It’s not his fault the wiring in the homeless shelter failed the inspection and needs to be upgraded. He meets Holly and is instantly attracted to her, but she wants nothing to do with him except to have him change his mind about closing the shelter.

There are a few miscommunications and doubts, but a definite attraction between Molly and Tim. Can they work through their issues and pull off a Christmas miracle, thus saving the shelter?
1,834 reviews12 followers
January 5, 2020
This is an exceptional story of helping those less fortunate. Even though $1500 isn't enough to fix the electrical problems at a homeless shelter, Holly finds a way to raise more money to meet the need. Then that need is met again by another person so the first money can do even more. I love this statement about the book: "Remembered sadness is the stepping stone to tomorrow's joy"- something I need to remember for my own life. I was given the audible copy of this story. I will enjoy listening to it again & again. Would give it 10 stars if I could. This is my voluntary review.
Profile Image for Virna.
3,175 reviews4 followers
January 10, 2020
I got this audiobook by the author for review.
This is a nice story, well written and though good, falls a bit short, takes time before it takes you on board, both characters have issues and they struggles with them, there are many, but abandonment and be afraid to follow there heart, so the romance didn't stand out to me much, this felt a bit cliche at times. There is a lot of passages about praying and relying on the Lord for guidance and the ending of the book is also a bit flat, still is was a clean holiday romance.
Profile Image for Ashley Hedden.
5,259 reviews43 followers
October 29, 2021
Holly's Gift (Small-Town Christmas Wishes #5) was a great read by Josie Riviera. Holly goes into a homeless shelter looking for a piano student that hasn't shown up for her lessons. She notices that a handsome building inspector is forcing the shelter to temporarily close down. Tim Stewart doesn't want to close down the shelter but the building is unsafe. he went from homeless desperation to television stardom to obscurity. Holly barrels into his life and sparks some face and hope for him. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more by the author.
636 reviews5 followers
January 20, 2022
This is a wonderful story about what Christmas should be about. Holly is trying to help one of her piano students and Tim is trying to do his job which will leave a lot of people in a hard place over the holidays. When Holly and Tim collide they have no idea how their paths will intertwine or where that will lead them. Josie has written another delightful book, as always. No inappropriate language or content, as always.

The narrator does a wonderful job. Always a plus for listening to an audio book.

I requested this audio book from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Profile Image for Sharon.
680 reviews
January 7, 2020
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Holly is a piano teacher and her student Jasmine is in a homeless shelter about to be closed down by Tim the handsome city inspector. Holly has to decide what to do with a check she was left by a friend, it was given to her to make someone's Christmas. Holly is a Christian, Tim not so much. Can they save the shelter? This book has a great message of hope, faith and love.
10.8k reviews125 followers
December 13, 2021
This is the 2nd book I've read written by Josie Riviera; I can’t wait to read more of her books.

This is the 5th book in the Small-Town Christmas Wishes Series; each book is about a different friends trying to honor their friend Charity who left each of them $1,500 and wants them to grant a secret wish for someone by Christmas. This is Holly’s story.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Fleur.
3,734 reviews29 followers
January 7, 2024
Holly doesn't do relationships after her failed marriage so when she meets Tim and he asks her out all she is interested in is helping keep the homeless shelter open that her piano student and mother are living at.
Tim really wants to get to know Holly more so she finally allows them to spend time together and both get to see how happy they make each other however presumptions, past experience and stubbornness may get in the way of two people who deserve a Merry Christmas.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Julia David.
2,505 reviews27 followers
Read
January 21, 2020
Really enjoyed this story and I really liked Holly and Tim. Holly is trying to fulfill her friend's last wish when she meets Tim. Holly might be a little too churchy for Tim, but he can't help but be drawn to Holly. Holly has no interest in dating, but there is something about Tim. Will they be able to come together?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews

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